American fishing company to pay CAD$3.1M for ramming HMCS Winnipeg

A Canadian Navy official said the Canadian government would receive CAD$3.1 million in an out-of-court settlement with an American company after one of its vessels rammed HMCS Winnipeg in 2013.

The American Dynasty, a fishing vessel belonging American Seafoods Co., lost electrical power while it was approaching a dock in Esquimalt harbor in April 2013.

A series of mistakes by the fishing vessel’s crew coupled with the loss of power led to the collision with the Canadian Navy frigate which suffered considerable damage at the stern. Six shipyard workers sustained minor injuries on the HMCS Winnipeg.

The $3.1 million settlement was reached in June after Canada’s Department of Justice had launched an action in court against the American company. The Canadian Navy did not say how much repairs to the ship cost the taxpayers.